Twisted Hobbys Puddle Star User manual

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 1
USA Distributor
Twisted Hobbys
www.twistedhobbys.com
MOTOR: 2x 19-26g/1450-1750 Outrunner
ESC: 2x 10-12 amp
SERVOS: 4x 5-7g
PROP: 2x 7x3.5dd or 7x6sf
BATTERY: 3s / 650-850mAh
RADIO: min. 4 channel
WINGSPAN: 39”
LENGTH: 39”
AUW: 390 to 420 grams
P
PU UD DD DL LE E
S
ST TA AR R

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 2
SAFETY NOTES
 Before assembling and flying this model, read carefully any instructions and warnings of other
manufacturers for all the products you installed or used on your model, especially radio
equipment and power source.
 Check thoroughly before every flight that the airplanes’ components are in good shape and
functioning properly. If you find a fault do not fly the model until you have corrected the
problem.
 Radio interference caused by unknown sources can occur at any time without notice. In such a
case, your model will be uncontrollable and completely unpredictable. Make sure to perform a
range check before every flight. If you detect a control problem or interference during a flight,
immediately land the model to prevent a potential accident.
 Youngsters should only be allowed to assemble and fly these models under the instruction and
supervision of an experienced adult.
 Do not operate this model in a confined area.
 Do not stand in line with, or in front of a spinning propeller and never touch it with any object.
IMPORTANT: PRIOR TO ANY ASSEMBLY
Please Note: after removing kit from shipping box, lay each piece flat on a
hard surface, this will allow the airframe to straighten out if lightly bent
from shipping. Do not worry since EPP is very pliable and can be bent back
if out of shape.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 3
TWISTED HOBBYS
Website: www.twistedhobbys.com – email: [e-mail]
Thank you for your purchasing a Twisted Hobbys‘ model. Please read through the entire manual before beginning to
build this model. If you have any questions please contact us at the above indicated email address.
WARNING INFORMATION
This R/C Aircraft is not a toy! Read and understand the entire manual before assembly. If misused, it can cause serious bodily harm and
property damage. Fly only in open areas, and AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites. Do not over look the warnings
and instructions enclosed or those provided by other manufactures’ products. If you are not an experienced pilot and airplane modeler you
must use the help of an experienced pilot or an authorized flight instructor for the building and flying of this model aircraft.
These instructions are suggestions only on how to assemble this model. There are other ways and methods to do so. Twisted Hobbys has
no control over the final assembly, the materials and accessories used when assembling this kit, or the manner in which the assembled
model, installed radio gear and electronic parts are used and maintained. Thus, no liability is assumed or accepted for any damage
resulting from the use of the assembled model aircraft or from this instruction manual including but not limited to direct, indirect,
incidental, special, and consequential damages. By the act of using this user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability. In
no event shall Twisted Hobbys’ liability exceed the original purchase price of the kit.
SHIPPING DAMAGE
Twisted Hobbys checks each plane before shipping to ensure that each kit is in fine condition. We have no bearing on the condition of any
component parts damaged by use, modification, or assembly of the model. Inspect the components of this kit upon receipt. If you find any
parts damaged or missing, contact Twisted Hobbys immediately. We will not accept the return or replacement of parts on which assembly
work has already begun. Twisted Hobbys reserves the right to change this warranty at anytime without notice.
OUR MISSION
To provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible. We take great pride in
our company, our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell. Our online store is designed
to provide you with a safe and secure environment to browse our product catalog.
Thank you for shopping with Twisted Hobbys!

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 4
kit contents
Fuselage Parts
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.
Wings, SFG’s and Tail Surfaces
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 5
kit contents (cont.)
Hardware Kit Detail
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.
Plywood and Hardware Kits
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. The Hardware
kit items are detailed to the right.
Note - Some kits might have slight
deviations from the above pictured
items.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 6
TOOL AND ADHESIVES NEEDED
Tools shown and listed are suggestions only.
Depending on your building technique you may not
need everything indicated – and/or – you may find that
other tools available to yourself may be of benefit to
your Build.
It is also recommended that you have a flat building
surface, one that will accept stick pins and push pins.
An Acrostic Ceiling panel from your local hardware
store fits this bill nicely, and will lay flat on your work
table. Over size / long push pins are available at your
local craft store. These two items are by no means
required, but will aid in the building process, and can
be used for future projects
Lighter
Small Drill Bits
Tape Measure and Ruler
Black Sewing Thread
Welders Glue
Hobby Knife w/new Blade
Needle Nose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Low Temp Hot Glue Gun
Course Sand Paper
Scissors
Small Phillips Screw Driver
Thin and Medium CA
CA Applicator Tips
Activator

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 7
the build
CONSTRUCTION METHODS:
Building surface should be at least 2ft x 4ft and at. Weights or some small heavy objects will be handy for holding things in place
during the time glue is setting.
Welders glue is used for FOAM TO FOAM joints. Thin and Medium CA are used on the PLASTIC TO FOAM and CARBON TO FOAM
joints. When using the Welders glue for a butt joint, apply a thin lm to each surface, allow to sit for approx ve minutes and
then assemble. Note that this method will create a nearly instant bond, so locate carefully when bringing the two pieces together. If
alignment is necessary or a slip joint, do not allow the glue to tack up, simple apply and join immediately, you will have several
minutes to locate the two parts before the glue sets up. In most cases the parts being glued can be handled with care in 30 minutes,
full cure is approx 24 hours.
The above picture items will be needed to nish the model.
A power combo (Twisted Hobbys’ Combo pictured above), a
3s/650-850mAh battery and a fresh tube of Welders. Note -
the Battery and Welders are NOT part of the power combo.
Start the build by locating the two wing halves, the elevator
and the rudder. Fold back as shown and weigh them down
for about an hour. This will loosen up the hinge line and
allow the surfaces to move much more freely. The wing
hinge will be stiff... work it slowly so it doesn’t tear

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 8
Locate the wood kit and mount a fresh
blade into you hobby knife.
Cut out the Fuselage Doublers, the
Wing Mount Cross Members and the
little round Magnet Holders. Also locate
the magnets from the hardware bag.
Press a magnet into the Wood Holder
(the one with the larger hole). Make
ush with one side. Glue with Med. CA
and Kicker.
The magnet assembly installs with the
smaller hole to the OUTSIDE of the
fuselage.
Repeat for the second side.
With thin CA, attach the round piece
with the smaller hole to the side you
made the magnet ush with.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 9
Coat the inside of the magnet hole in
the fuselage with a little Welders.
Install as shown, again remembering
that the smaller hole is facing out.
Press into the hole... should be ush to
both the inside and outside of the foam
fuselage piece.
Repeat for the other side.
Wipe away any extra Welders
LEVEL OF WATER PROOFING
At this point in the build you
should decide what level of water
proong you will do. If you plan to
spend a fair amount of time ying
off water, a more robust
“waterproong” (waterbug) build
would be in order. The occasional
water use... 2 or 3 times a season,
the standard (grasshopper) build
would be sufcient. If you never
intend to y off the water, omit all
the build steps that install lm or
require water proong. The only
thing you will want to do is coat the
bottom of the fuselage with some
clear duct tape or similar tape.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 10
Waterbug Build Only - Locate the
pieces shown, these are the items that
will get the laminate. Skip all the steps
labeled “Waterbug” if only occasionally
ying off the water.
Waterbug Build Only - cut a piece of
1.5mil heat laminate material that will
cover the bottom of the elevator
Waterbug Build Only - The laminate
material will shrink like monokote and
will bow the foam if not careful. Only
the bottom of the elevator needs it.
Start in the middle and work outward
Waterbug Build Only - ON A TEST
PIECE OF FOAM, IRON ON A SMALL
PIECE OF THE LAMINATE (DULL SIDE
IS THE STICKY SIDE) AND
EXPERIMENT WITH TEMPERTURES
Waterbug Build Only - Cut one piece
each for the fuselage sides
LAMINATING BUILD TIPS
There are many different thickness
and brands of laminate material
out there. You should use a
laminate that has a low heat
activated glue. As an extra step to
insure a robust bond of the
laminate to the foam, 3M 77
Contact Spray glue can be used to
“dust” the area in which you will
apply the laminate to. Note, it does
not take a lot, a quick single pass
at 10 to 12 inches is plenty, more
is not better in this case. Also, it is
advised to TEST your procedure
and iron tempatures on a scrap
piece of foam and not your model.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 11
Waterbug Build Only - Once you are
happy with the lm application, Trim
around the perimeter of the elevator,
and cut away the area for the hinge
bevel. A fresh blade should be used.
Waterbug Build Only - Once everything
is trimmed up, seal all the edges.
Waterbug Build Only - Repeat the
process with the outside surface of the
two fuselage pieces. Again, starting
from the center and SLOWLY working
towards the tail and nose
Lay down a small bead of Welders all
around the foam doubler.
Locate the foam and plywood fuselage
doublers as pictured above.
Waterbug Build Only - When complete,
trim as with the elevator. NOTE - Do
not cut the lm away from the notches.
Leaving them will provide covering for
the mating tabs later in the build

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 12
Spread the glue out evenly so that it
coats the whole surface. Use an old
business card or something as a
spreader.
Attach to the inside of the fueslage.
NOTE - it is VERY important to line up
all the notches and edges of the two
pieces.
The foam doubler will curl up a little as
the Welders dries, so secure everything
at with some weight for an hour or
two.
Apply a medium coat of Welders to one
side. You can use the tip of the tube to
evenly distribute the glue. And as with
the foam doubler, make sure the inside
edges line up where intended.
Locate the wood fuselage doubler. Now
is also a good time to verify that your
servos t into the cutouts. If not, le
the wood doubler a little until they t.
Repeat for the other side, again, use
some weights to keep it all at while
drying.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 13
Repeat for the other side and put all the
weights back until everything has had
time to dry.
Locate the parts shown above. Attach them and cut off the extra
length of the screws so they are ush
Start with the pieces shown above. This
will assemble into the Battery Box.
Locate all the internal bulkheads and
separate them into their individual
pieces.
Add a drop of thin CA from this side
and hit with Kicker. This will keep the
screws from backing out over time.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 14
Note the orientation of the parts, Tabs
are keyed, but in some cases there is
more than one way to put these
together. Note the location of the little
hole on the piece to the right.
This piece installs as shown. again
notice the little hole.
Once you get it all together and you are
happy with the t up, re-assemble with
Welders.
DRY FIT - Notice the orientation of the
front bulkhead, the battery box and the
forward wing mount cross member.
DRY FIT - all the bulkheads to one side
of the fuselage as shown.
After the main fuselage pieces have had
time to dry, locate all the parts as
shown and notice how they are all laid
out, this will be the general position in
the fuselage.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 15
DRY FIT - Notice the orientations of the
rear wing mount cross member and
bulkheads shown.
DRY FIT - the main rear bulkhead. DRY FIT - the tail section bulkhead.
DRY FIT - Close up of the front wing
mount cross member installed.
DRY FIT - looking down from the top,
everything should be pretty square as
assembled if all the tabs and slots have
mated up properly.
DRY FIT - the other side of the fuselage.
Start from the tail and work all the tabs
and notches so that they are all
engaged and fully seated.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 16
DRY FIT - close up of the rear wing
mount cross member installed.
DRY FIT - Close up of the tail section. DRY FIT - Locate the belly parts shown.
DRY FIT - the upper nose cover.DRY FIT - the bottom front section.
DRY FIT - the belly pieces into their
location. If everything is assembled
correctly up to this point there should
be no trimming needed.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 17
DRY FIT - Notice that one side is relief
cut so that the part will bend easily and
t the designated area.
DRY FIT - Look carefully at the nose,
you will see that there is a little
interference were the two pieces come
together. Trim an angle onto the lower
piece, go slow and test t often.
DRY FIT - When you have removed
enough material from the edge of the
lower piece, the top and bottom nose
pieces should t up as shown.
Double check that the servos t. Do not
glue them in at this time, just make
sure the t nice.
If you are satised with the t up of all
the parts, take everything apart,
remembering how it all went together.
DRY FIT - Look everything over, make
sure that it has all gone together
square, that all tabs are fully engaged
and that you have correct orientation of
all the bulkheads.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 18
Close up of how the servo should be
seated into the cut out in the wood.
Once you are happy with the t up,
remove the servos from their postions.
Start the re-assembly of the fuselage by
putting Welders on all the mating
surfaces between the bulkhead parts
and the fuselage sides.
Then install the bottom and use
masking tape to hold all the parts in
place.
Front section / battery box area shown
above, with masking tape holding
everything together. Set the fuselage
aside now for a couple hours so that
the glue can dry.
Wing saddle area. Also use some
masking tape here to keep all the cross
members tight in their slots.
Nose pieces shown, again masking tape
being used to hold all the seams
together while the glue dries.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 19
If you have not already done so, now is
a good time to test your electronics.
Above is a picture of a typical layout for
this model.
Create a new model on your radio and
bind per your mfg’s procedures. The
next couple steps will show how to mix
in another channel for the second
motor and which wing conf. to use.
WING TYPE
For this model, pick the “Dual Ail” wing
type and “Normal” tail type.
MIX 3
Used to mix left (port) motor with
rudder, with rudder being the master.
MIX 2
Used to mix right (starboard) motor
with rudder, with rudder being the
master.
MIX 1
Used to control throttle of motor #2
(gear channel). Right motor (starboard)
is plugged into the throttle channel and
the left (port) motor into gear channel.

Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a page 20
Glue the arm extenders onto the back
side of the single sided servo arms. CA
or Welders. Wrap with thread for extra
strength. Large hole may need enlarged
depending on your servos.
Make sure the servos are electronically
centered and mount the arms with
their screws as shown. Servos with
extenders are for the ailerons, the other
two are for the tail surfaces.
If a couple hours have passed already,
the fuselage should have dried enough
now to handle. Carefully remove all the
tape. Check for any loose or open
seams.
Install the rest of the servos.
NOTE - the arms for the tail servos face
to the INSIDE. Also, do not glue the
servos in at this time.
Install the aileron servo as shown, with
the arm extending thru the fuselage.
Waterbug Build Only - remove the
plastic covering from the slot in the
fuselage where the aileron control arms
will protude.